Rear Admiral Bolanle Ati-John (Rtd) has called for a more coordinated and proactive approach to tackling Nigeria’s growing security challenges, warning that the country’s evolving threat landscape now affects virtually every sector of national life. He made the call while chairing the Enterprise Security Risk Management Conference organised by the Association of Enterprise Risk Management Professionals at James Hope University, Lekki, Lagos.
Speaking on the conference theme, “Repositioning Enterprise Security Risk Management in Nigeria’s Evolving Threat Landscape: A Multi-Stakeholder Imperative,” Ati-John said insecurity in Nigeria has gone beyond conventional security concerns to include terrorism, kidnapping, cybercrime, oil theft, communal violence, economic shocks, supply chain disruptions, and institutional distrust. According to him, these threats are interconnected and can no longer be handled in isolation.
The retired naval officer noted that security management in Nigeria has for too long been approached in fragmented ways, with physical security separated from cyber security, intelligence from governance, and public safety from corporate resilience. He stressed the need for an enterprise-wide risk management system that focuses on prevention, intelligence sharing, preparedness, and resilience rather than reacting only after crises occur.
Ati-John identified three major areas of reform needed in the country’s security architecture. He said institutions must shift from reaction to anticipation through early warning systems and data-driven risk assessment; move from isolated operations to stronger collaboration among agencies, businesses, regulators, and communities; and promote a culture where risk management becomes part of institutional decision-making and leadership.
He also urged government, the private sector, academia, professional bodies, and communities to work together in building national resilience. According to him, conferences such as the gathering in Lagos should move beyond ceremonial discussions to practical solutions capable of protecting institutions, restoring public confidence, strengthening governance, and securing Nigeria’s future.
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